TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a 9-month permit to Walsh Vinci Transit Community Partners working on behalf of the Chicago Transit Authority on a 23-acre portion of the District’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant property in Chicago, Illinois for preacquisition and preconstruction activities for the Red Line Extension Project. Consideration shall be a permit fee of $5,000.00
Body
Dear Sir:
Walsh Vinci Transit Community Partners (Walsh Vinci), the Chicago Transit Authority’s contractor, has requested a nine (9) month permit for preacquisition and preconstruction activities on the future fee acquisition and the future temporary easement areas (District Property), as depicted in the attached aerial photograph. The preacquisition and preconstruction activities include conducting a general survey, erosion and rodent control measures, tree clearing by March 31, 2026 to mitigate potential impact to the Northern Long Eared Bat, grubbing, utility potholing, and topsoil stripping for CTA’s new rail tracks. This work is necessary to ensure that the Project remains on schedule.
The District’s technical departments have reviewed Walsh Vinci’s permit request and have no objections thereto. The District’s minimum permit fee of $5,000.00 is recommended, as CTA plans to purchase these parcels in the near future.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it issue a 9-month permit to Walsh Vinci Transit Community Partners working on behalf of the Chicago Transit Authority on a 23-acre portion of the District’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in Chicago, Illinois for preacquisition and preconstruction activities for the Red Line Extension Project. Consideration shall be a permit fee of $5,000.00.
It is further requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said permit agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:EMA
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for February 5, 2026
Attachment